NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Riley Leonard passed for a touchdown, Jayden Harrison returned a kickoff 98 yards for a score, and Notre Dame’s defense made it hold up in a 23-10 victory over No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday that sends the third-ranked Fighting Irish into the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.

That said, the Irish had to fight hard against North Carolina to earn their fourth victory over a ranked opponent this season, 76-66. Then again, that should be expected in such a game.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the Georgia Bulldogs 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Thursday in a quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff. Notre Dame will face Penn State on January 9 in a semifinal game at the Orange Bowl in Miami.

Notre Dame and Penn State playing in a college football game with national title implications? What decade is it? Neither classic power won a game in the four-team era of the College Football Playoff,

Notre Dame vs. Penn State at the Orange Bowl this Thursday night and Ohio State vs Texas on Friday! Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau likely to announce resignation, reports say 20 Housing Markets Where Homes Will Skyrocket in Value Before the End of 2025 Celebrities discuss Golden Globe wins backstage I Asked 3 Butchers How To Choose the Best Steak—They All Said the Same Thing I made too many withdrawals during the first 6 years of retirement to pay for cruises,